Man's Eternal Quest

by Paramahansa Yogananda

For all who have ever sought to understand the enigmas of life, for those who have held within their hearts an uncertain hope about the reality of God, and for seekers who have already turned toward the Supreme in their quest, this anthology of talks by the author of Autobiography of a Yogi offers illuminating insights and encouragement. In its pagese, Paramahansa Yogananda explores little-known and rarely explained aspects of such subjects as meditation, life after death, health and healing, the unlimited powers of the human mind, the equality of man and woman, and the interrelatedness of all life.
Topics include:
* Making Religion Scientific
* Will Jesus Reincarnate?
* Three Paths to Cosmic Consciousness
* The Dream Nature of the World

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Hinduism, Religion, Self Help, Eastern Philosophy

504 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Paramahansa Yogananda (Bengali: পরমহংস যোগানন্দ Pôromohôngsho Joganondo, Sanskrit: परमहंस योगानं‍द Paramahaṃsa Yogānaṃda), born Mukunda Lal Ghosh (Bengali: মুকুন্দ লাল ঘোষ Mukundo Lal Ghosh), was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book, Autobiography of a Yogi .

Reviews

[Donna Quesada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of an anthology of collected talks by the beloved Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda, which includes, The Divine Romance, Man's Eternal Quest and Journey to Self-Realization. They are beyond review. They are what I keep in my own nightstand and what I open during times of trouble. They are what I travel with and what I share with others when authentic spiritual guidance is sought.

These timeless teachings are practical, but wholly genuine. Dear Paramahansa Yogananda is forthright, but loving. He is is eloquent but charming. His grace comes to life in the pages of all three of these treasures. The reader will get out of it what he came for; for any plight, the casual reader can blindly open up to any page and find solace, or encouragement to drop the self-sabotaging bad habits that keep us from the peace and joy we have a right to; the true seeker, whose genuine yearning of the heart will have brought him to these teachings, will find the way to Self-Realization. It is nothing short of a guide to the divine within.

[Danny Druid · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Paramahansa Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi", it changed my life. It is easily at the very top of my top ten favourite books. So I was eager to read something else by this author.

Paramahansa's "Man's Eternal Quest" is the first in three volumes worth of collected talks and lectures delivered by Paramahansa to his students. We are all very fortunate to have these words transcribed!

In Man's Eternal Quest Paramahansa talks about the most profound and important things in life - life after death, divinity, the soul, etc. He beckons all those who are lucky enough to read his words to follow his example.

Paramahansa's writing is always very lucid. He wants to be understood as much as possible, which is difficult when you speak about lofty things. But he succeeds.

All of Paramahansa's writings are best read slowly. Read them a little bit at a time, and take a while to digest what he is saying and reflect on it. Ideally one should reflect at the end of every chapter. I admit that I read this book too fast, but I will definitely be returning to it.

Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed "Autobiography of a Yogi". If you haven't read that, read that first.

[Harshit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book have a power to change your perception towards science and divine. Yogananda writing in this books comes with thrust that has power to steal your cognisense and soul. He divided his explanation like peeling an onion one layer at a time and trust me your feel higher spec with every layer he uncover, can make your cry too.it tells those things that you have experienced by self since your childhood big never have talked about.

Have a technical and rational science background make me fairly inquisitive of unknown mega intelligence. This book have cherry picked my quest and links them in subtle way without leaving a gap. Synapse sparkle in brain to know that his essays were written cover theory of relativity which is spoken by a guy with no science background in very sharp fashion.

Chapter are divided in lucid fashion with no convolution, explanations are directed to core and dramatically impacts your soul

A part of this book takes you towards explanation of lifetron, neuroplasticity, subconscious brain uplifting and very cognitive and rational explanation of how everything happens including law of attraction room and sense of self uplifting happiness . I rank this book to be in order of purity rationality and spiritual linkage and to be re-read as soul purifier

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I would read "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda. It will help you with many of the concepts. In addition to introducing many themes and concepts the autobiography is much easier to read like fiction.

"Man's Eternal Quest" is a collection of essays. Much is repetition however this really functions to stress the importance of certain concepts and ideas.

I have found this book to be more intriguing and informative as well as philosophically constructed. By philosophically constructed, I mean Paramahansa Yogananda argues his points clearly and provides many examples and analogies.

Another interesting theme in this book is the comparison of Christian thought/New Testament text and Hindu thought/spiritual texts to show similarities in meaning and methodology in the spiritual path to God. Paramahansa Yogananda has ample quotations and provides new insights as well as explanations of those quotations and their applications in daily life.

[Chandramouleeswaran Balaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man’s Eternal Quest is a deeply inspiring and enlightening read. Paramahansa Yogananda’s wisdom shines through every page, offering profound spiritual insights that feel both timeless and deeply personal. His words guide the reader toward self-realization, inner peace, and a higher understanding of life’s purpose. The blend of philosophy, personal experiences, and divine truths makes this book a treasure for any seeker. I’m truly uplifted and eager to dive into the next part - The Divine Romance.

[Christopher Pufall · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I've visited the Lake Shrine Temple in Pacific Palisades for a service, retreat, or just to walk the grounds, I've had such immense peace. The same can be said for reading this collection of Yogananda's writings, which provide a wide sampling of gentle yet profound wisdom. I recommend this book as a solid primer to his teachings, and as a manual for finding and walking the noble pathways of life.

[Shar Kanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a devotee since 1984, this is a book i turn to with great frequency -- especially Self Analysis: Key to the Mastery of Life. after twentysomething years, i still need to remind myself...

[Barbara Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this book the "University of Life". I am so happy tohave found such a simple yst profound man...

[Jai Dogra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritually reaffirming. Enjoyed it. The ideas preached in the book are viable whatever the time period be and still holds true even now. Man is always busy chasing everything else than what he should and ends up with unwanted gloom, lifelessness and despair. The book provides a sure shot way to deal with these worldly problems.

Its content surpasses multiple self-help books within each of its chapters and in a better and concise way.

The only reason I'm not giving it a five star is because I already had some foundation of the contents of the book and it was not entirely new for me.

[Craig Kissho · Rating 1 out of 5]

is this guy for real? humans can live for thousands of years, like his master? diseases are caused by wrong thoughts? just change hindu terms to their nearest christian equivalent, so : aum=amen, meditation=prayer, brahman=god the father, kutastha=christ centre. made me roll my eyes. might be interesting to people in the 1930's hearing it for the first time, but siunds too much like spiritual mumbo jumbo to me. couldnt continue reading.

[Lsundaram7yahoo.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a life changing book.Here Paramahansa Yogananda very forcefully advicates the necessity and possibility of contacting and realizing god through meditation.I strongly recommend this to any person who wants to make his life purposeful and worthwhile. I want to draw attention to this quote of this:
" Everything else can wait, but your search for God cannot wait".

His other two great books are:
- Autobiography of a Yogi and
- The Divine Romance

[Matthew Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was enlightened then I would not need a human body anymore and then I wouldn’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to piss. That would be nice. Paramahansa Yogananda did not care about anything except finding God. The things most people care about are little playthings next to never ending ecstatic bliss beyond comprehension.

[Deepak Imandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book that highlights simple yet highly effective aspects like Meditation, Devotion & the language is quite fluid. Must read and I'm even thinking to record my highlights as voice notes to remember them often.

#Recommended

[Edward Baldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Marvellous as all His Books...I have read them all...really.......

Jay Gurus........):D

[Mikrofonđija Špinatlija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book with wisdom that got no boundries, and timeless wisdom for everyone who is in search for happines

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good account of yogic principles on life.

[Priya Parimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paramahansa Yoganada has answered the questions I always had. A great book.

[Andres Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm, open your spiritual eye...

[D.J. Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not super religious, but there are a solid amount of good life lessons for anyone, so I'd recommend this to all. Basically, find happiness and help others find it.

[Ashley Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musings for a divinely inspired master. Love love love

[Veda Vittal Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!! Seriously can see difference between a book written by a layman and a book from a realised soul.I hope with his blessings I can adapt many things from this damn book

[Tanner Cipriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a book but channeling directly from Source. Extremely fortunate to have discovered Yogananda in this lifetime and to recognize his significance. 10 billion stars.

[Arjun Syal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Jules Iavarone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is nothing short of transformational!
It took me a little longer to read because it's filled with so much light and depth, but Paramahansa Yogananda masterfully weaves profound spiritual truths with simplicity, clarity, and grace. Every chapter holds timeless wisdom that speaks directly to the soul.

This book doesn’t just inspire, it awakens! Whether you're new to the spiritual path or have been walking it for years, it brings you home to a deeper truth with extraordinary power.

A MUST read for anyone seeking spiritual depth, inner peace, and a direct connection to the Divine.

[Andromeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read it again after twenty years. It is, as ever, fresh, interesting, informative, and motivating. I discovered far more this time than I had previously --- much of which, in my spiritual immaturity, I must have glided over.

Anyone who wishes to understand Paramahansa Yogananda --- His unexampled love for God, His accessible and practicable approach to self-realisation, and the conspicuous absence of the proverbial and customary flummery that so often abounds in the works and words of fanatical religionists --- should devour this exemplary text.

[Sameera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, Sri Paramahansa Yogananda speaks about how our quest for everything else but the Divine doesnt quench the thirst we have inside us and how once we have found the Divine, our eternal quest is fulfilled.

I love Guruji's work and words, his mission and I enjoyed reading this book. It took me longer than the typical spiritual books I read because it is intense and requires you not to miss a single word.

I am glad to know Guruji's words, wisdom and vision through this trilogy.

[Dr Amit Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book I ever read on 'self realization' and 'self actualization'. This book has answer to many spiritual inquiries. Explanation of thought process, the right direction of the eternal quest are the main themes of this collection of essays.
Paramahansa Yogananda ji has explained much of our problems in simplest ways. Highly recommended for those who have a taste for spiritual quest.

[Chayan Roychoudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays is one of those books to keep with yourself, when you feel dejected or fed up with life, or makes you angry to God. Yogananda touches many topics in this book, from diet, to habits, to Jesus , to Christianity , to Gita , to Divine Love , and practising religion scientifically.

[Sujata Sahni]

Education authorities deem it impossible to teach spiritual values in schools. Many college graduates leave with a top heavy book inflated head and are unable to walk straight on the path of life because their legs of will and self-control have been totally paralysed through disuse. The book covers various subjects on being able to achieve a healthy and balanced living.